By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY — Negros Power has been working diligently to maintain the safety and reliability of its power distribution network following Mount Kanlaon’s Dec. 9 eruption, which blanketed parts of Bago City and Murcia with ashfall.
The ashfall posed significant risks to the company’s infrastructure, including:
- Insulator Flashover: Ash contamination can cause insulators to fail, leading to outages.
- Overloading: Accumulated ash can overload lines, causing damage or disruptions.
- Structural Damage: Ash weakens poles and light structures, increasing the risk of collapse.
- Tree Falls: Ash-laden trees can fall on power lines, triggering widespread outages.
- System Malfunction: Ash ingress into HVAC systems can block intakes, reducing performance and disrupting critical systems in substations.
To address these challenges, Negros Power has implemented extensive water-flushing operations to clean affected facilities.
As of Dec. 22, the company had washed and cleaned nearly 450 primary or feeder line pin insulators and replaced 130 damaged insulators, achieving a 77% accomplishment rate.
Flushing operations are ongoing until all impacted infrastructure is fully restored.
Negros Power also took preventive measures to protect equipment from ash ingress, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of substations and other critical facilities.
“We are committed to providing reliable power to our customers, even in the face of natural disasters,” said Engr. Mervin Dalian, head of Negros Power’s Network Development and Operations group.
Dalian emphasized the company’s dedication to ensuring employee safety and maintaining a dependable power supply.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to protect our facilities and customers,” Dalian added.
Negros Power’s proactive efforts highlight its commitment to mitigating risks and ensuring reliable service amidst the challenges posed by Mount Kanlaon’s eruption.
